Cases of tuberculosis in Dumfries and Galloway have hit their highest level for nearly a decade.
New figures from Public Health Scotland show there were six recorded cases in 2023 – up from two in 2022.
And it’s the highest number in the region since 2014, when there were also six incidents.
The Public Health Scotland figures also show there were 283 cases across Scotland last year, up from 201 the previous 12 months.
It means the case rate has risen from 3.7 per 100,000 people in 2022 to 5.2 cases per 100,000 last year – the highest rate since 2017.
The national rate also shows there 1.9 cases per 100,000 people among those born in the UK, compared to 36.5 cases per 100,000 people not born in the UK.
The report states: “The most reported risk factor for tuberculosis was being a refugee or asylum seeker.
“In non-UK born tuberculosis cases, 71.0 per cent were diagnosed two or more years after arriving in the UK.
“While this pattern is not fully understood, it could be related to either reactivation of latent infection following entry to the UK, infection within the UK, or frequent travel to countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis.”
The report also made clear there is a “strong” link between tuberculosis and deprivation, with the figures revealing three out of 10 cases in Scotland last year were in the most deprived areas, while only 10.4 per cent of cases occurred in the most affluent communities.
Consultant in public health at Public Health Scotland, Hazel Henderson, said: “We are actively working with partners to better understand who is affected by TB in Scotland, what may have changed and what contributing factors led to the increase in cases in 2023. We are also developing a new national TB surveillance system to help improve our understanding of TB in Scotland.
“Typical symptoms include a persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks and usually brings up phlegm (which may be bloody), weight loss, night sweats, a high temperature, tiredness and fatigue, loss of appetite and new swellings that do not go away after a few weeks.
“If you have any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment with your GP.”
“Although numbers remain low, we will continue to work with PHS and the UK Health Security Agency to better understand the contributing factors to the increase.”